Empathy is a fantastic trait to have but, it doesn’t come easy.
Empathy is the ability to understand how another person is feeling and respond to them in a caring way. It is incredibly complex for a child to understand.
It is really a journey to teach empathy to a child. One that begins much earlier than you might think.
Here are some tips on helping your child with empathy:
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A close relationship with you
Your little one’s relationship with you is the first one they will learn from. Having a loving and secure relationship with you will help your little one feel accepted and safe. It will help them to accept others as they grow.
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Mirroring
Even as babies our children are watching our every move to learn how to respond. A toddler will watch a parent’s reaction to a person to see if this person is a friend or a stranger, watching body language, tone of voice, etc. Being empathic yourself and modelling empathy will always be the best way to teach your little one to have empathy.
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Have empathy
If your child is upset, hurt or feeling down it is important to show them empathy. It will show them how feeling a certain way needs a certain type of care and attention.
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Help them have empathy
If one of their siblings or friends is in a similar situation let your little one help to be empathic to their sibling or friend. For example, say to them ‘let's give your sister a big hug because she fell and hurt her knee”.
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Read books
Books are a great teaching tool for all topics. There are so many options out there. Find one that fits your little one and incorporate it into their bedtime routine.
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Use pretend play
Children learn so much through play. Roleplay with teddies or dolls or even cars and show your child empathy through play.
